Travel Advisory

Southbound Lehigh Tunnel Closures Scheduled to Begin TonightOvernight tunnel work to impact traffic on I-476 in Carbon County for several days.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists traveling on the Northeastern Extension (I-476) to be prepared for overnight single-lane patterns and two-way traffic in the northbound Lehigh Tunnel starting Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. until Oct. 30 at 5 a.m. to repair water pipes inside the tunnel.

Turnpike maintenance crews will implement a traffic stoppage (no more than 15 min.) in both directions to set-up a crossover pattern directing all traffic into the northbound tunnel.

Weather permitting; crews will finish this work to the pipes each night from Nov. 1 through Nov. 6 during the same timeframe: 7 p.m. until 5 a.m.

The Lehigh Tunnel is located at milepost A70-A71 between the Lehigh Valley (Exit #56) and Mahoning Valley (Exit #74) interchanges.

Message boards will be activated to update motorists of any changes to the schedule caused by inclement weather or unforeseen traffic conditions. If the work is delayed, it will take place on the next available day.

Motorists traveling on I-476 should stay alert when entering the tunnel and turn on their headlights. Drivers are also advised to slow down, keep an adequate distance from the vehicle ahead and never pass inside the tunnel. Customers who experience car trouble and cannot safely exit the tunnel should stay in the car, put on the hazard lights and wait for assistance. Tunnel personnel will monitor closed-circuit cameras and send help for disabled vehicles.

Travel advisories will be posted at www.paturnpike.com and Highway Advisory Radio (1640 AM) will be activated to provide travel updates.

Travelers can get Turnpike traffic alerts by calling 866-976-TRIP (8747) or visiting the live Travel Conditions Map online at www.paturnpike.com/webmap. The Pa. Turnpike’s smartphone app, TRIP Talk, streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users so they can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. To download the free app, visit www.paturnpike.com/triptalk.